1
524 KARL ANDERSON. THE decision of the Home Secretary in the case of Karl Anderson is as we anticipated. He is respited during her Majesty’s pleasure. Perhaps in no case has public opinion given so complete a sanction to the extraordinary power exercised by the Minister, whose interference with the course of justice has in many instances been severely censured. The verdict in the present instance was manifestly wrong. The jury were misled by the natural desire which all men must feel to avenge the foul crime of murder, when a primâ facie case of its commission is proved. In such a case as this of Anderson, where the act of killing was the overt act of insanity, humanity and common sense would have been equally outraged had the sentence been carried into effect. The wonder is that so experienced a judge as Mr. Baron Channell should have failed to induce a jury possessed of average intel- ligence to acquit the prisoner on the ground of insanity, and have permitted them to involve so manifest a proposition as the prisoner’s mental state in even momentary doubt. Iy accordance with the arrangement made with the com- mittee of St. Mary’s Hospital, Dr. Sieveking has resigned his appointment as physician to the Hospital for Epilepsy. Mr. James Lane has not yet vacated his post as surgeon to St. Mark’s Hospital, but it is understood that he is ready to do so, at a given period, if his colleagues at St. Mary’s are in favour of the step. Dr. Hughlings Jackson will of course succeed Dr. Sieveking as physician at the Hospital for Epileptics. ____ ° AT the next meeting of the National Association for the Promotion of Social Science, to be held on Monday next at eight P.M., the following very important subjects will be dis- cussed :-The Fourth Annual Report ot the Coroner for Centra] Middlesex, embracing (1) the employment of experts in Coroners’ Courts ; (2) the introduction of the inquiries of the Coroner’s Court into workhouses; (3) the erection of mortuaries in the metropolis. Also, Mr. Curgenven’s paper " On the Waste of Infant Life." AT the meeting of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical So- ciety, on Tuesday last, two important papers ’’ On the Patho- logy and Treatment of Cholera " were read, one from the pen of Dr. G. Johnson, the other by Drs. M’Loy and Robertson. The paper by Dr. Johnson was an elaborate account of his views on the subject, which are already familiar to our readers. A long and interesting discussion took place, in which several Fellows took part. A full report of the proceedings will appear in the next LANCET. SINCE our last report there has been only one fresh case of scarlet fever at Eton, and that occurred on the 7th of April. It was of the same mild character as those which had been treated before. The sanatorium is now quite emptied of its convalescents. There have been no other cases of diphtheria. The school broke up on the 12th. GREENWICH HOSPITAL AND THE DREADNOUGHT. THE comparative advantages and disadvantages of the two blocks of buildings of Greenwich Hospital known as Queen Mary’s and Queen Anne’s, as applicable to the purposes of the Seamen’s Hospital, have now been pretty well canvassed, but some fresh elements have been introduced into the question. The Com- mittee of the Society had fixed on Queen Anne’s quarter as the most eligible in situation, and most easily convertible to their purpose, for the following reasons: first, that it has a river frontage, whereby easy access would be afforded to the river, and the removal of the sick from the ships to the hos- pital facilitated ; secondly, that it would be self-contained and form an independent building ; thirdly, that the wards which could be formed would be much larger, and be capable of being more freely ventilated, than those of Queen Mary’s quarter. The objections taken by the Admiralty are chiefly the want of kitchen and laundry arrangements ; the fact that a central massive wall three feet thick runs through the centre of each block from top to bottom, so that only one side is lighted by windows, and there is therefore a bar to a thorough current of air from side to side; and that the upper storey has no windows but skylights. Queen Mary’s quarter is not deemed so appropriate for the Seamen’s Hospital by the Dreadnought authorities, because it lacks a river frontage, and its wards could not be made so large as those of Queen Anne’s quarter-indeed, only about 27 ft. by 13ft., a result that would prevent proper supervision by the nurses, and impede the ventilation. We have good reason to know that these objections have been met by the state- ment of competent officials that they are remediable. The Queen Mary’s quarter forms the two sides of a square, and can be isolated with facility. The wards as they at present exist-two on each floor, one on either side of a central staircase-are divided into little cabins, each containing one window; the range of cabins on either side being separated bv a central passage. It is affirmed that the whole of these cabins can be knocked away, so as to make one large ward with win- dows on either side ; leaving, however, a few pillars in the area of the ward, which, it is asserted, would not offer any room for complaint ; and the block would have the additional advantage of not forming, like Queen Anne’s, a confined court, for one of the sides of the square which it forms is an open corridor, so that the air could gain access to the wards from all directions. Queen Anne’s quarter consists of a square block, and some of the sides of the wards form the bounds of a court- yard. In addition the kitchen arrangements, the cellarage, the existing laundry and bath rooms, are unquestionably supe- rior in Queen Mary’s quarter. The explanation we have given alters the whole question considerably, and clearly fortifies the opinion of Dr. Bryson. The portion offered to the Sea,- men’s Hospital would contain 300 men, allowing 1200 cubic feet of air to each man. Dr. Bristowe and Mr. Holmes made a preliminary visit on Tuesday last, and we anticipate, if the suggested improvements are pronounced feasible, that they will now recommend the Queen Mary’s quarter as the part most suitable for hospital purposes. The policy of accepting these premises is another matter, as they lack the river front- age-an important desideratum in the eyes of the Dreadnought authorities. The public may not like the promenade in front of Queen Anne’s to be given up so readily as that portion of the ground facing the naval school and the side roadway. There are many who think that it would be wise, if Queen Anne’s quarter be still unattainable, to build a new hospital on the ground already bought by the Society; for in any part of Greenwich Hospital the occupants will be tenants at will, and the rumour that the Dreadnought is still to be resemed in case of need shows that the hold of the Society upon the Admiralty is as yet not very firm. The expense also of the newly suggested alterations will fall upon the Seamen’s Hospital Society, and be little short of the expense of building a new hospital. SIR THOMAS WATSON AND THE LATE DR. CONOLLY. IN our last number we stated that at the recent meeting of the College of Physicians, Dr. Tuke attended, with Baron Mundy, M.D., and Dr. Maudsley, to formally present the bust of the late Dr. Conolly to the College in the name of the Medico-Psychological Association. Dr. Tuke explained in a few words the wishes of the Association, and introduced Baron ’4undy. Sir Thomas Watson, in reply, pronounced a touching and graceful eulogium upon the late Dr. Conolly in the follow.- ing words :- BARON MUNDY AND DR. TUCKE,—The Fellows of the College of Physicians, here in full Comitia assembled, authorise me,

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Page 1: GREENWICH HOSPITAL AND THE DREADNOUGHT

524

KARL ANDERSON.

THE decision of the Home Secretary in the case of KarlAnderson is as we anticipated. He is respited during herMajesty’s pleasure. Perhaps in no case has public opiniongiven so complete a sanction to the extraordinary powerexercised by the Minister, whose interference with the courseof justice has in many instances been severely censured.The verdict in the present instance was manifestly wrong.The jury were misled by the natural desire which all

men must feel to avenge the foul crime of murder, when aprimâ facie case of its commission is proved. In such a caseas this of Anderson, where the act of killing was the overtact of insanity, humanity and common sense would have beenequally outraged had the sentence been carried into effect. Thewonder is that so experienced a judge as Mr. Baron Channellshould have failed to induce a jury possessed of average intel-ligence to acquit the prisoner on the ground of insanity, andhave permitted them to involve so manifest a proposition asthe prisoner’s mental state in even momentary doubt.

Iy accordance with the arrangement made with the com-mittee of St. Mary’s Hospital, Dr. Sieveking has resigned hisappointment as physician to the Hospital for Epilepsy. Mr.James Lane has not yet vacated his post as surgeon to St.Mark’s Hospital, but it is understood that he is ready to doso, at a given period, if his colleagues at St. Mary’s are infavour of the step. Dr. Hughlings Jackson will of coursesucceed Dr. Sieveking as physician at the Hospital for

Epileptics. ____

°

AT the next meeting of the National Association for thePromotion of Social Science, to be held on Monday next ateight P.M., the following very important subjects will be dis-cussed :-The Fourth Annual Report ot the Coroner for Centra]Middlesex, embracing (1) the employment of experts in Coroners’Courts ; (2) the introduction of the inquiries of the Coroner’sCourt into workhouses; (3) the erection of mortuaries in themetropolis. Also, Mr. Curgenven’s paper " On the Waste ofInfant Life."

__

AT the meeting of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical So-ciety, on Tuesday last, two important papers ’’ On the Patho-

logy and Treatment of Cholera " were read, one from the penof Dr. G. Johnson, the other by Drs. M’Loy and Robertson.The paper by Dr. Johnson was an elaborate account of hisviews on the subject, which are already familiar to our readers.A long and interesting discussion took place, in which severalFellows took part. A full report of the proceedings willappear in the next LANCET.

SINCE our last report there has been only one fresh case ofscarlet fever at Eton, and that occurred on the 7th of April.It was of the same mild character as those which had beentreated before. The sanatorium is now quite emptied of itsconvalescents. There have been no other cases of diphtheria.The school broke up on the 12th.

GREENWICH HOSPITAL AND THEDREADNOUGHT.

THE comparative advantages and disadvantages of the twoblocks of buildings of Greenwich Hospital known as Queen Mary’sand Queen Anne’s, as applicable to the purposes of the Seamen’sHospital, have now been pretty well canvassed, but some freshelements have been introduced into the question. The Com-mittee of the Society had fixed on Queen Anne’s quarter asthe most eligible in situation, and most easily convertible totheir purpose, for the following reasons: first, that it has ariver frontage, whereby easy access would be afforded to the

river, and the removal of the sick from the ships to the hos-pital facilitated ; secondly, that it would be self-contained andform an independent building ; thirdly, that the wards whichcould be formed would be much larger, and be capable of being

more freely ventilated, than those of Queen Mary’s quarter.The objections taken by the Admiralty are chiefly the want ofkitchen and laundry arrangements ; the fact that a centralmassive wall three feet thick runs through the centre of eachblock from top to bottom, so that only one side is lighted bywindows, and there is therefore a bar to a thorough current ofair from side to side; and that the upper storey has no windowsbut skylights.Queen Mary’s quarter is not deemed so appropriate for the

Seamen’s Hospital by the Dreadnought authorities, because itlacks a river frontage, and its wards could not be made so largeas those of Queen Anne’s quarter-indeed, only about 27 ft.by 13ft., a result that would prevent proper supervision bythe nurses, and impede the ventilation. We have good reasonto know that these objections have been met by the state-ment of competent officials that they are remediable.The Queen Mary’s quarter forms the two sides of a square,and can be isolated with facility. The wards as they at

present exist-two on each floor, one on either side of a centralstaircase-are divided into little cabins, each containing onewindow; the range of cabins on either side being separated bva central passage. It is affirmed that the whole of these cabinscan be knocked away, so as to make one large ward with win-dows on either side ; leaving, however, a few pillars in thearea of the ward, which, it is asserted, would not offer anyroom for complaint ; and the block would have the additionaladvantage of not forming, like Queen Anne’s, a confined court,for one of the sides of the square which it forms is an opencorridor, so that the air could gain access to the wards fromall directions. Queen Anne’s quarter consists of a square block,and some of the sides of the wards form the bounds of a court-yard. In addition the kitchen arrangements, the cellarage,the existing laundry and bath rooms, are unquestionably supe-rior in Queen Mary’s quarter. The explanation we have givenalters the whole question considerably, and clearly fortifiesthe opinion of Dr. Bryson. The portion offered to the Sea,-men’s Hospital would contain 300 men, allowing 1200 cubicfeet of air to each man. Dr. Bristowe and Mr. Holmes madea preliminary visit on Tuesday last, and we anticipate, if thesuggested improvements are pronounced feasible, that theywill now recommend the Queen Mary’s quarter as the partmost suitable for hospital purposes. The policy of acceptingthese premises is another matter, as they lack the river front-age-an important desideratum in the eyes of the Dreadnoughtauthorities. The public may not like the promenade in frontof Queen Anne’s to be given up so readily as that portion ofthe ground facing the naval school and the side roadway.There are many who think that it would be wise, if QueenAnne’s quarter be still unattainable, to build a new hospitalon the ground already bought by the Society; for in any partof Greenwich Hospital the occupants will be tenants at will,and the rumour that the Dreadnought is still to be resemedin case of need shows that the hold of the Society upon theAdmiralty is as yet not very firm. The expense also ofthe newly suggested alterations will fall upon the Seamen’sHospital Society, and be little short of the expense of buildinga new hospital.

SIR THOMAS WATSON AND THE LATEDR. CONOLLY.

IN our last number we stated that at the recent meeting ofthe College of Physicians, Dr. Tuke attended, with BaronMundy, M.D., and Dr. Maudsley, to formally present the bustof the late Dr. Conolly to the College in the name of theMedico-Psychological Association. Dr. Tuke explained in afew words the wishes of the Association, and introduced Baron’4undy. Sir Thomas Watson, in reply, pronounced a touchingand graceful eulogium upon the late Dr. Conolly in the follow.-ing words :-BARON MUNDY AND DR. TUCKE,—The Fellows of the College

of Physicians, here in full Comitia assembled, authorise me,